There is only one place to be this summer: K-O-R-E-A! Throughout the hot season, Korea will be bustling with numerous fun-filled activities and festivals. Whether it is at a classy tea festival or at the popular Haeundae Beach in Busan, Korea's largest port city, friends and families of all ages can find their own spice of entertainment in the events centered around arts (and/or crafts), food, music, dancing, and even old-time traditional rituals.

Apart from all the excitement, one will be able to gain incredible insight and knowledge about Korea and its traditions too! At events like the "Tea World Fesitval" and "Hansan Mosi Festival," one can experience the genuineness and beauty that underlies Korea's modern culture today. So what are you waiting for?!
Don't hesitate! It's where everyone wants to go!

Summer in Korea Begins with Fun-filled Festivals

1) 2008 Gangneung Danoje Festival

When: June 4~11, 2008 Where: Danoje ground, Namdoecheon Stream, Gangneung City Website:http://www.danojefestival.or.kr "Dano" is one of Korea's four major traditional holidays that falls on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar. The "Gangneung Danoje," a typical Dano festival in Korea that dates back more than 1,000 years, has been designated as one of the "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO. Programs will include rituals in honor of the deities and performances of traditional music, dances and plays. Foreign guest performers from China, Japan, and Mongolia will also introduce their traditional culture and martial arts.

2) Icheon Ceramics Festival

When: May 9~June 11, 2008 Where: Seolbong Park and Pottery Village Kyung-ki-do Icheon-si Gwango-dong 69-1 Website:http://www.ceramic.or.kr A great opportunity to learn from the master potters at the Icheon Ceramics Festival, with ceramic art classes in shaping, designing and firing of pots and wells, as well as the unique opportunity to watch them at work. The Korean ceramic tradition is an exceptional craft which has been developed over the last three thousand years. The most important period in development for Korean Ceramics was during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392AD), in which the beautiful dark green glaze, known as celadon was perfected.

3) Tea World Festival

When: June 5~8, 2008 Where: COEX Center, Seoul. World Trade Center, Samsung-dong, gangnam-gu 135-731 Website:http://www.coex.co.kr The COEX Center hosts the Tea World Festival every year. Exhibitions, talks and competitions featuring different varieties of tea from around the world are available at 200 stalls. Organizers advise all visitors to carry a large bag for all the free samples available.

4) Haeundae Sand Festival

When: June 5~8, 2008 Where: The whole area of Haeundae white sand beaches. Jung 1-dong, Busan Website:http://sandfestival.haeundae.go.kr/ Haeundae Sand Festival is held at the well-known Haeundae beach in Busan during the summer. The sand festival is intended to draw people's attention to the seriously decreasing width of Haeundae Beach - known as the biggest beach in the world - due to changes in the environment. The festival offers education about ecology and beach pollution in addition to fun. Programs include drawing pictures in the sand, horseback riding, beach volleyball, and a sand marathon.

5) The 12th Muju Firefly Festival

When: June 7~15, 2008 Where: Hanpurungu, Bandi Land Muju-eup, Muju-gun, North Jeolla province. Website:http://www.firefly.or.kr Fireflies, known as "banditbul" in Korean, were ubiquitous in Korea several decades ago, but have since disappeared from most of the nation during its industrialization. The friendly insects are now considered a symbol of a clean environment. The 12th Firefly Festival in Muju offers various experiences that give a first-hand look at the environment, such as an exploration tour for wild fireflies. There will also be exhibitions of rare insects from around the world, various performances of modern and traditional arts, and catching trout with one's bare hands. Visitors will become aware of the concept and spirit of 'ecotopia,' where humans and nature coexist harmoniously. Experience the fascinating sight of fireflies on warm summer nights with the whole family!

6) Hansan Mosi (Ramie Fabric) Cultural Festival

When: June 13~16, 2008 Where: Hansan Mosi Fabric Hall 60-1 Jihyeon-ri, Hansan-myeon, South Chungcheong province. Website:http://www.seocheon.go.kr/eng Website:http://www.mosi.go.kr Hansan's ramie fabric is one of the specialties of Seocheon. Since 1989, in order to advertise its greatness and importance, the Hansan Ramie Fabric Festival takes place every year. It has been designated number 18 on the list of Great Tours and Cultural Festivals in Korea and one of three great cultural festivals in the South Chungcheong province. Several events and activities take place during the festival. In reviving old fashioned weaving action, the Hansan Mosi (Ramie fabric) Cultural Festival in Seocheon pays homage to the delicate and elegant local cloth. Visitors can try their hand at making and painting the fabric, and enjoy lavish fashion shows of traditional Korean attire.

7) The 3rd Taean Lily Festival 2008

When: June 19~ July 1, 2008 Where: 4415 Songam-ri, Taean-eup, Taean-gun, South Chungcheong province Website: http://www.happylily.com A grand total of two million lily blossoms will greet visitors during the Taean Lily Festival, which is to be held at the Songamri flower complex, on a lot 181,900 square meters (18 hectares) wide. Various lily flowers, including new specimens and numerous flowers native to Taean, will be on display. Also, activities such as lily-bread baking, potato digging, balsam dyeing, face painting, and pottery making will be part of the festival.

8) Daegu International Musical Festival

When: June 17 ~ July 7, 2008 Where: Main theaters and provisional stages in downtown Daegu (The Daegu Opera House, Daegu Bongsan Cultural Center, Daegu Suseong Artpia, Daegu Harmonia Art Hall), Daegu Website: http://www.dimf.or.kr/english/main/main.htm The Daegu International Musical Festival is the only international festival in Korea, and aims high at developing musical theater into an industry through which the beauty and joy of musicals can be shared with international visitors and local residents alike. A total of 17 musicals will be presented, including six invitational works, three premiere homegrown musicals and musicals performed by students.

9) Korea Festival Exhibition

When: June 20~24, 2008 Where: Busan Exhibition and Convention Center Woo2-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan 612-704 Website: http://www.fk.or.kr Festivals representing various regions of the nation will be exhibited in a five-day extravaganza, including folk plays and foods of the past and present at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO). Among the 84 featured festivals representing Korea are the Floating Lantern Festival of Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, and the Gangjin Celadon Cultural Festival of Gangjin, South Jeolla Province.